Wilderness Survival - The Introduction

Wilderness survival is a big topic and contains many different aspects of survival. From knowing how to deal with stress, which is the most important, to knowing how to make tools that you can use in your situation.

This survival guide is largely based on the U.S Army Field Manual 3-05.70 and you will see many similarities. The Army manual is designed for soldiers and a lot of the information contained in it does not apply to backpackers. After reading the manual and seeing the usefulness of it, I decided to rewrite it specifically for hiking. There will be many things included in this that you will not see in the Army Manual that you also need to know. Enjoy reading!

Like the U.S. Army Manual this wilderness survival guide is based on the word SURVIVAL. Now let's get down to learning.

S- Size up the situation
If you end up getting lost in the wilderness the first thing you need to do is take stock of what you are dealing with. What kind of terrain am I on? Where is the closest food and water supply? What kind of gear do I have with me? How can I use that gear? How good is my gear? Those are just some of the questions that will need answered right away.

You will need to know what shape you are in physically. You may not be able to climb rocks and steep hills if you aren't in good enough shape. That means you will need to find an alternate route. You may not be able to carry a big load which will mean more trips for firewood and water, which will expend more energy. Every hiker should be in good to excellent physical condition before even attempting a hike.

U- Use all your senses, Undo haste makes waste

R- Remember where you are
Do not lose your location. Imagine going off to get water and then not remembering how to get back to camp. You just lost all your gear and everything that you had just accomplished. Mark it on your map. You do have one with you don't you? That way you can always return there if you need to. Never leave camp without your map and compass.

V- Vanquish fear and panic
These are the biggest obstacles you will have to face. You don't need to have an emotional breakdown when you are dealing with wilderness survival. Preparing yourself before you go is key to handling this problem. Is is also the first thing covered in this survival guide.

I-Improvise
You will have to know how to make your own tools and shelters. Unless you happen to have them with you. Use a rock for a hammer, a small log can make a good shovel. Take the tools you already have with you and see how you can use them in more than one situation. You survival kit will not last forever so you need to add on to it by improvising.

V- Value living
Without the attitude of survival your chances are greatly diminished. Positive thinking and a bulldog approach to wilderness survival is vital. You cannot give up at any cost. If you do, then you probably won't make it.

A- Act like the Natives
The natives in the wilderness will be the animals. You can learn a lot from them. Follow their tracks, they need food and water too.

Wilderness survival tip:
Animals cannot serve as an absolute guide to what you can eat and drink. Many animals eat plants that are toxic to humans.

L-Live by your wits, But for now learn basic skills
Without training for wilderness survival your chances are also severely diminished. That is why you need to learn these now so you at least have a decent chance at making it out alive. Do not just read the material but also practice it. Many of these techniques are much more difficult than they appear. You don't want to have to find out after the fact.

The quicker you can get a pattern down in a situation like this the better. That will save you a lot of time and energy if you move every day and have to set up camp every night. An example- In cold weather you need fire first to get warm, a shelter to protect you, traps and snare to catch food, a signal to attract attention and first aid to maintain health. Of course if you get injured then first aid is first on the list above all others.

Note:
You may need to change this pattern as the surroundings and weather change.

Keep S-U-R-V-I-V-A-L in mind as you read this guide and what each letter stands for and the need for a pattern of how you accomplish tasks in a wilderness survival situation.